Editorial: Make it easier for Michigan to vote absentee

Jan. 9, 2014

Voter turnout in Michigan's last presidential election was 63%, better than the national average of about 57%, but not as high as states with no-reason absentee voting. / November photo by Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Fre

Voter turnout in Michiganís last presidential election was 63%, better than the national average of about 57%, but far below turnout in Georgia, at 72%, or Maryland, 74%.

The difference between the states? Georgia and Maryland are among the 28 states that allow something called ďno-reason absentee voting.Ē

In Michigan and in 21 other states, voters who would like to vote absentee must present a reason to be allowed to do so. To receive an absentee ballot a voter must be 60 or older, unable to vote at a poll without assistance, plan to be out of town, in jail awaiting arraignment or trail, working as an election inspector or unable to vote at a poll for religious reasons. And because Michigan is also one of a small number of states that donít offer early voting, folks who canít make the wait have few options.

Itís an antiquated system that doesnít take into account the reality of Michigandersí lives. Americans should prioritize voting ó itís a privilege and a right ó and move heaven and earth to get to the polls on Election Day. But in a good turnout year, voters can wait an hour or more to cast a ballot. So what if you have a demanding job, canít get time off or are at home with small children who wonít tolerate a lengthy wait to vote? In Michigan, youíre out of luck.

Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has proposed instituting no-reason absentee voting (and itís supported by Gov. Rick Snyder), but Johnsonís proposal would require voters to present the absentee ballot in person, with government-issued ID. Most states that have no-reason absentee voting allow voters to mail in the ballot. Johnson has said that the in-person visit is required to ensure that the ballot was cast by a legitimate voter. She has also expressed concerns that Michiganís voter file is too compromised for expanded absentee voting, saying that about 100,000 of the 7.4 million names on Michiganís voter rolls are questionable.

Itís laudable that Johnson wants to make it easier for Michiganders to vote, and that she is concerned about voter fraud, a serious matter. But letís be clear ó thereís no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Michigan, and there are no reports that voter fraud, or allegations of voter fraud, have increased in states with no-reason absentee voting. Focusing on this nonexistent threat at the expense of access to the franchise is the wrong decision.

Bills to expand absentee voting have been introduced by state lawmakers in previous years, but have languished, even after Snyder backed the change in his State of the State speech last year. Thereís no reason a bill expanding absentee voting shouldnít pass this year ó this is low-hanging fruit that could improve the lives of Michigan voters and increase the number of residents who have a say in state, local and national politics.